Printing press and the like



Feb. 10, 1942.

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Patented Feb. 10, 1942 PRINTING PRESS AND THE LIKE Leroy Q. Presby,Melrose, Mass, assignor to Rotogravure Engineering Co. of Massachusetts,Boston, l\lass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 27,1939, Serial No. 286.826

2 Claims.

My inventionrelates to apparatus for printing or coating a web anddrying it.

The invention, which has among its objects the provision of improvedapparatus of the character mentioned, including improved web dryingmeans, will be best understood from the following description andaccompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention will be moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 together constitute a side elevation of the printing pressaccording to the invention, Fig. 1 showing one end of the machine, andFig. 2 the opposite end;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the drying mechanismaccording to Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale, with parts in elevation andparts omitted;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, sections on the lines 4-4, 5-5 and6-6 of Fig, 3, the section line 6-6 for convenience in following thedrawings also being placed on Fig. 10;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line l-l of Fig. 8, with parts omitted:

Figs. 8 and 9 are, respectively, sections on the lines 8-8 and 9-9 ofFig. 3 on an enlarged scale,

with parts omitted;

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of one side of the drier lifting mechanism,corresponding to a section on the line Il-H of Fig. 2, with partsomitted;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan of the mechanism according to Figs. 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line l4-I4 of Fig, 12

Fig. 15 illustrates a detail of the mechanism according to Figs. 11 to14; and

Fig. 16 is a section on the line Iii-I6 of Fig. 15.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated is a multi-colorpress, each printing couple for example being constructed as illustratedin applicant's co-pending application Serial No.

209,284, filed May 21, 1938.

In the apparatus illustrated a length of web W is fed from a roll of webI through a plurality of printing couples each comprising the print rollor cylinder 3 and impression roll or cylinder 5. All or any of thesecouples however may act to coat the web instead of print upon it, or,for example, could be the squeeze rolls for removing excess coating orimpregnating liquid from the web after it is immersed in such liquid.

The web after passing through the series of roll couples 3 and passes tothe rewind reel 1, As illustrated, the web after leaving each couplepasses through a drier, the several driers being supported by bars 9(Figs. 1 and 5) carried by posts ll extending upwardly from. the sidestandards l3 which support the rolls 3 and 5 of the printing couples.

Referring particularly'to Figs. 3; 6, 9 and 10, the web after leavingthe first and second roll couples 3, 5 is guided by suitable rolls l5into the casing ll of a drier, passing into that casing through a slotl9 (Fig. 3) formed in the end wall 2| thereof. Similarly suitable rolls23 and 25 guide the web from the casing through a slot 21 in theopposite casing end wall- 29. The web is then guided to the next rollcouple 3, 5 by suitable rolls 3| carried by the standards l3 whichsupport that couple, and after passing through the latter couple passesinto and through the next successive drier, Each of those driers whichrespectively are between the first and. second, and second and third,couples 3, 5 are alike, and therefore only one need be described.

The casing of each of the driers just mentioned besides the end walls 2|and 29 comprises the top wall 33, bottom wall 35, and opposite sidewalls 31 and 39, the latter through the greater part of its extenthaving an opening closed by the normally shut door M, which openingprovides access to the interior of the casing. As shown, the door may besupported by hinges 43 and detachably secured in closed position bylatches 45 (Figs. 1 and 6). Otherwise the casing is preferablysubstantially permanently closed except for the slots l9 and the airinlet opening 41 and air exit opening 49.

Interiorlyof the casing described in the preceding paragraph is an airdistributing conduit. This conduit, as best shown in Fig. 6, is ofrectangular cross-section, and has an intermediate portion 5| (Fig. 10)the bottom wall 53 of which rests upon the bottom wall 35 of the casingwhich contains it, and further has upwardly inclined end portions 55.The upper wall 51 of the conduit in this way is so formed as to be inparallel relation to the path of the web as determined by 'the rolls I5,23 and 25, as will be clear from Fig. 3.

tor 63, the motor .and blower unit being carried by the bottom wall 35of the casing.

The upper wall 59 of the air distributing conduit 5|, 55, as shown, isprovided with spaced transversely extending slots 55 runningsubstantially across its width for directing air against the web fordrying the latter. If desired, this air may be heated. As illustrated,for that purpose a series of parallel bar-like resistance elements 61(Figs. 6, 9 and 10) extending transversely of the conduit may beprovided, these resistance elements being shown in the drawings more orless diagrammatically and being supported in any convenient way ininsulated relation to the casing and energized by suitable leads (notshown). As illustrated, the bars are placed above the opening 59, andabove the bars is placed an open ended channel-shaped baffle 89extending transversely of the conduit. In this way the incoming air isforced to flow in opposite directions through the channel 69 in contactwith the bars, which facilitates heating of the air.

As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, these slots 65 which are adjacent theend of the casing opposite the air exit opening 49 may be provided withbaiiles 1| for directing the air discharged from th slots away from theslot I9 through which the web enters the casing. The slots 65 at theopposite end of the casing adjacent the web exit slot 21 also, ifdesired, may be provided with the battles H for directing the air awayfrom the slot 21. Ordinarily as these latter slots 65 are adjacent thair exit opening 49, which, as hereinafter explained, is subjected tosuction, the baffies H at that end of the conduit will be unnecessary.

It will be understood that when the rolls 3 of the couples 3, 5 aresubstituted by larger rolls 3, as might be necessary from time to timein a printing press, it will be necessary to adjust the position of thedrier receiving the web leaving such couple. For this purpose in thepresent embodiment of the invention the casing for each drier issupported by a frame comprising the bars 13 at opposite sides of theupper portion thereof. These bars, as shown, are pivotally supported at15 on brackets 11 rigidly carried by the bars 9. At its opposite end thedrier is adjustably supported by mechanism which will now be described.

As illustrated, the roll I5 at the entrance side of the slot I9 (Fig. 3)is rotatably supported on a stationary arbor 16 (Figs. 3 and 11). Thisarbor is conveniently carried at opposite ends by the bars I3, therolls, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, being heldagainst 1ongitudinal movement on the arbor by suitable collars 19 (Fig.11). thereof extends beyond the adjacent bar 13, as shown in Figs. 11and 12, and rotatably supports a block 8|, to which latter is rigidlyattached the lower nd of a rack bar 83, the upper end of each rack barbeing adjustably connected to the bar 9 at the same side of the machineby the mechanism best illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15.

As shown, each bar 9 at its inner side has secured thereto a lug 85(Figs. 3 and 11) which carries a bearing 81. Rotatably mounted in thesebearings is a shaft 89 carrying at one end a handwheel 9| (Figs. 1; and11), whereby the shaft may be rotated? As illustrated, the hub 93 of thehandwheel is fixed to the shaft 89 by a suitable pin 95, and rotatablymounted on the shaft between that hub and the adjacent bearing 81 is thehub 91 of a ratchet wheel 99 and a block comprising th body portion IDIand cover I03, the cover being attached to the block by use of suitablescrews I (Figs. 11, 15 and 16).

The arbor at each end There may be a handwheel at each end of the shaftso that the drier may be adjusted from either side of the machine, butordinarily it will be satisfactory it but one handwheel is employed forthat purpose, and in such case at the opposite end or the shaft fromthat shown in Fig. 11 a collar corresponding to the hub 93 of thehandwheel may be pinned to the shaft.

For rotatably mounting the blocks IIII, I03 on the shaft 89 each blockis provided with spaced ears I01 having perforations I09 through whichthe shaft 89 passes. As shown, each block is provided with an openingIII of rectangular cross-section which receives and guides the adjacentrack bar 83. Meshing with each rack bar is a rack pinion II3 keyed atII5 (Fig. 14) to the shaft 89, the body portions IOI of the blocks beingcut away to form openings Ill permitting the rack pinions to mesh withthe racks. In this way when the shaft 89 is rotated the rack pinionswill raise or lower the rack bars to swing the driers about the pivotalsupports 15.

The hubs 91 of the ratchet wheels 99 are keyed to the shafts 89 as shownat H9 (Figs. 12 and 14). Cooperating with the teeth III of the ratchetwheels are pawls I23 pivotally supported at I25 to projections I21 onthe cover members I03 of the blocks IIlI, I03. At their upper sidesthese projections carry leaf springs I29 for resiliently pressing thepawls into operative relation with the rack teeth. There need be but onepawl and ratchet wheel for each shaft, but conveniently one is locatedadjacent each rack bar 83, the two being identical and fixed to theshaft in such relation that the teeth of one are angularly spaced fromth other one-half the pitch of the ratchet teeth so as to enable a fineradjustment of the-drier to be secured.

In the machine illustrated the web W after passing through the couple 3,5 at the left hand side of Fig. 1 passes into a drier at the upper sideof the bars 9, the web being so guided by the rolls I! and I33 and thedrier rolls I35 that the same side of th web is treated with air as inthe preceding driers.

The drier at th upper side of the bars 9 is best illustrated in Figs. 1,3. 5, '1 and 8. It comprises a casing I31 of the same general shape andconstruction as that heretofore described, the end walls of the casing,as will be clear from Fig. 3, having a web entrance opening I39 and aweb exit opening I.

At its upper side the casing I31 has, adjacent one end thereof, an airinlet opening I43 (Fig. 3) through which air is forced into adistributing conduit I44 by a blower I45 driven by an electric motorI41. At its upper side adjacent its opposite end it has an air exitopening I49. In its bottom it has openings I5I communicating with theair exit openings 49 of the casings of the lower driers, suchcommunication being established by flexible conduits I53 which permitadjustment of the lower driers. To the air exit opening I49 of thecasing I31 is connected a conduit I55 through which air is withdrawnfrom the casing by an exhauster I51 driven by an electric motor I59 fordischarging the air and fumes withdrawn to any convenient place ofdisposal.

The air distributing conduit I44 in the upper drier is best illustratedin. Figs. 4, 5, 7 and 8. This conduit has a bottom wall I6I of suchshape as to be parallel with the web. Extending transversely across thiswall are spaced air exit slots I63 formed in the wall for directing airagainst the web. In its upper wall I65 the conduit also has an openingit! communicating with the casing air inlet opening M3. Beneath thisopening are parallel electric resistance elements I69 similar to theelectric resistance elements 6! of the other driers, these elementsbedrier constructions air is forced into a distrib- 10 uting conduitfrom which the air is discharged against a web passing through a casing,the latter having openings through which the web enters and leaves it.Such constructions, un-

less means are provided to prevent it, will per-'15 mit the air todischarge into the room containing the apparatus, which would be highlyob jectionable under most conditions that it would fill the room withfumes from the ink or coating material being dried. To prevent this theexhauster I51 is of such capacity as to withdraw from each casing at thedischarge side of the air distributing conduit therein the air and fumesat such rate as will maintain a pressure in the casings not greater thanatmospheric, and

preferably just below atmospheric, so as to prevent discharge of air andfumes through the web entrance and exit slots and other openings whichmay exist in the drier casings.

It will be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims,wide deviations may be made from the forms of the invention hereindescribed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

spaced printing couples each comprising cooperating printing andimpression cylinders, means for passing a web through said couples inseries comprising a drier for the web, said drier comprising anelongated casing positioned between said couples in an inclinedposition, said casing carrying web guide means movable therewith andcomprising at one end portion thereof a wall having a slot for thepassage of the web, which slot is positioned adjacent one of saidcouples in parallel relation to the axes of the cylinders of such coupleadjacent a horizontal plane which includes their line of tangency, saiddrier adjacent the opposite end portion of the casing being supportedadjacent the other couple for swinging about an axis above the line oftangency of the cylinders thereof parallel to the axes of saidcylinders, and means for moving said drier for raising and lowering thefirst mentioned end portion of said casing for adjusting said slot intooperative relation with printing cylinders of different diameters.

2. Ina printing press, a pair of spaced printing couples each comprisinga cooperating horizontal printing cylinder and impression cylinder, acasing providing an elongated drying chamber for the web which passesthrough said couples in series positioned in inclined position betweensaid couples with opposite ends adjacent said couples, respectively,said casing carrying web guide means movable therewith, means supportingsaid casing adjacent the higher end thereof for swinging about ahorizontal axis, and means for raising and lowering the opposite lowerend of said casing into operative relation with printing cylinders ofdiiferent 1. A printing press having, in combination,

diameters.

LEROY Q. PRESBY.

